League One stadiums reflect the incredible diversity of England’s third tier — a fiercely competitive division where any team can beat another. From Crawley Town’s Broadfield Stadium with under 5,000 seats to Birmingham City’s St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park holding over 30,000 fans, the league showcases a wide range of grounds and fanbases.
Abbey Stadium
The Cledara Abbey Stadium, formerly known as The Abbey Stadium, has been home to Cambridge United since 1932. The first-ever football match at The Abbey Stadium was played between Cambridge United and a team from the Cambridge University Press.
- Total Capacity: 8,127
- Seats: 4,376
- Surface: Natural Grass
- Pitch size: 100m x 68m
- Owner: Cambridge United owns Cledara Abbey Stadium after completing the purchase in 2022.
- Website: cambridgeunited.com
Adams Park
Adams Park opened in 1990 and is the home of Wycombe Wanderers. It has been the home to the club as they have risen through the levels of English football, seeing action from the Conference right up to the Championship, English football’s second tier.
- Total Capacity: 10,137
- Seats: 9,448
- Construction costs: It is estimated that Adams Park cost £3.5 million to construct.
- Surface: Hybrid Grass
- Pitch size: 105m x 68m
- Owner: Blue Ocean Partners Ltd
- Website: wwfc.com
Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road has been the permanent home of Blackpool since 1901. The stadium is popular among home and away fans due to the proximity of spectators to the pitch. Bloomfield Road is a single tier, four-sided stadium that has held FA Cup Semi Finals and Under 21 internationals.
- Total Capacity: 17,338
- Seats: 17,338
- Construction costs: Plans are in place for a redevelopment the area surrounding Bloomfield Road and part of that process is believed to be an improved East Stand.
- Surface: Natural Grass
- Pitch size: 102m x 67m
- Owner: Simon Sadler
- Website: Blackpool FC Official Website
Brick Community Stadium
The Brick Community Stadium is the home of Wigan Athletic and Super League rugby side Wigan Warriors. It was opened in 1999, with the event marked by the visit of then reigning European champions Manchester United.
- Total Capacity: 25,133
- Seats: 25,133
- Construction costs: It is estimated that the stadium cost £30 million to build.
- Surface: Grass
- Pitch size: 110m x 68m
- Owner: Mike Danson
- Website: wiganwarriors.com/club/stadium-info
Brisbane Road
Brisbane Road has been home to Leyton Orient since 1937, before that it had been the home of amateur side Leyton. As well as being the home of third-tier Orient, the stadium is also the venue of home matches for Tottenham Hotspur Ladies.
- Total Capacity: 9,271
- Seats: 9,271
- Surface: Hybrid Grass
- Pitch size: 101m x 73m
- Owner: Eagle Investments 2017
- Website: leytonorient.com/fans/matchday-guide
Broadfield Stadium
Broadfield Stadium is home of Crawley Town and has been since 1997.
- Total Capacity: 6,134
- Construction costs: £1 million (East Stand)
- Surface: Grass
- Pitch size: 112m x 72
- Owner: Crawley Borough Council
- Website: crawleytownfc.com
Broadhall Way
Broadhall Way, known as the Lamex Stadium for sponsorship reasons, has been the home of Stevenage since it opened in 1961. The highest attendance recorded for a match at the stadium was 8,040 for an FA Cup forth round tie with Newcastle United in 1998.
- Total Capacity: 6,722
- Seats: 3,142
- Construction costs: £600,000 spent on the improvement of the North Terrace in 2019.
- Surface: Natural Grass
- Pitch size: 101m x 64m
- Owner: Stevenage Football Club
- Website: stevenagefc.com
Edgeley Park
Stockport County have called Edgeley Park their home since 1902. Originally built for rugby, the stadium was also the home of English rugby union side Sale Sharks from 2003 to 2012.
- Total Capacity: 10,832
- Seats: 10,832
- Construction costs: Stockport County bought the site for just £1,600 in 1932.
- Surface: Natural Grass
- Pitch size: 101m x 66m
- Owner: Stockport Council
- Website: edgeleypark.com
Field Mill (One Call Stadium)
Mansfield Town’s home since 1919 was built over 150 years and takes its name from a large water powered textile mill that sat directly opposite. The West Stand has been renamed ‘The Ian Greaves Stand’ after their former manager. Greaves, a Busby Babe, led The Stags to promotion in 1986 and the Associate Members Cup in 1987.
- Total Capacity: 9,186
- Seats: 9,186
- Surface: Natural Grass
- Pitch size: 104m x 64m
- Owner: John Radford
- Website: mansfieldtown.net
John Smith’s Stadium
Since opening in 1994, The John Smith’s Stadium has been home to Huddersfield Town and rugby league side Huddersfield Giants. The stadium has played host to Under 21 international football as well as hosting matches at three separate Rugby League World Cups.
- Total Capacity: 24,500
- Seats: 24,500
- Construction costs: £40 million
- Surface: Natural Grass
- Pitch size: 105m x 69m
- Owner: Kirklees Metropolitan Council (40%), Huddersfield Town (40%) and Huddersfield Giants (20%).
- Website: johnsmithsstadium.com
Madejski Stadium
The Madejski Stadium, known as the Select Car Leasing Stadium, is home to Reading Football Club and has been since 1998 and is also the home of Reading Women. The stadium has played host to Under 21 international matches and an international friendly between Australia and Jamaica.
- Total Capacity: 24,161
- Seats: 24,162
- Construction costs: £50 million
- Surface: Hybrid Grass
- Pitch size: 102m x 68m
- Owner: Dai Yongge
- Website: readingfc.co.uk/club/select-car-leasing-stadium/
Memorial Stadium
After opening in 1921, the Memorial Stadium was home to rugby union side Bristol Bears, who played there until 2014. Bristol Rovers moved in in 1996 and have been joined by Bristol Rovers Women. The stadium has been used for Rugby League World Cup matches and was also the site of the filming for animated film Early Man.
- Total Capacity: 12,000
- Seats: 2,500
- Surface: Natural Grass
- Pitch size: 101m x 68m
- Owner: Bristol Rovers Football Club
- Website: bristolrovers.co.uk
New Meadow
Known currently as The Croud Meadow, the stadium has been the home of Shrewsbury Town Football Club since 2007. This season, the stadium has played host to Europa Conference League football as Welsh side TNS beat FC Astana of Kazakhstan.
- Total Capacity: 9,875
- Seats: 9,875
- Construction costs: £11.2 million
- Surface: Natural Grass
- Pitch size: 110m x 75m
- Owner: Shrewsbury Town Football Club
- Website: shrewsburytown.com
New York Stadium
The New York Stadium has been the home of Rotherham United since 2012. The stadium has hosted Women’s international football and was a host stadium during the UEFA Women’s Euros 2022, including the quarter final contest that saw France overcome the Netherlands.
- Total Capacity: 12,000
- Seats: 12,000
- Construction costs: £20 million
- Surface: Natural Grass
- Pitch size: 101m x 66m
- Owner: Rotherham United Football Club
- Website: aessealnewyorkstadium.com
Oakwell Stadium
Barnsley have made Oakwell their home since 1888, making it one of England’s oldest football grounds. Oakwell has been renovated over the years but maintains its traditional football stadium style. It was the first football stadium in England to have a designated stand for disabled supporters.
- Total Capacity: 24,009
- Seats: 24,009
- Surface: Natural Grass
- Pitch size: 100m x 68m
- Owner: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
- Website: barnsleyfc.co.uk
Pirelli Stadium
The Pirelli Stadium was opened in 2005 and is the home of Burton Albion Football Club. It has played host to football in the Conference, League Two, League One and the Championship. The stadium is also the home ground of Burton Albion Ladies and Leicester City Women.
- Total Capacity: 6,912
- Seats: 2,034
- Construction costs: £7.2 million
- Surface: Natural Grass
- Pitch size: 101m x 66m
- Owner: Burton Albion Football Club
- Website: burtonalbionfc.co.uk
Racecourse Ground
Currently known as the Stok Cae Ras, the Racecourse has been the home of Wrexham since 1864 and is the world’s oldest international football stadium still in use after being the venue for Wales’ first home international match in 1877.
- Total Capacity: 12,600
- Seats: 12,600
- Construction costs: £3.5 million (Mold Road Stand)
- Surface: Natural Grass
- Pitch size: 102m x 68m
- Owner: Wrexham AFC
- Website: wrexhamafc.co.uk
The LNER Stadium
The LNER Stadium, formerly known as Sincil Bank, has been the home of Lincoln City since 1895. The Imps had previously played their matches at The John O’Gaunts Ground. The LNER Stadium has hosted schoolboy international football, most notably a 2008 Victory Shield clash between England and Scotland.
- Total Capacity: 10,669
- Seats: 10,669
- Construction costs: Sincil Bank was built in 1894 and has seen many redevelopments. The latest is a £1.8 million overhaul of the Stacey West Stand and the introduction of safe standing to the GBM Stand.
- Surface: Grass
- Pitch size: 101m x 65m
- Owner: Lincoln City FC
- Website: weareimps.com/club/
Sixfields Stadium
Northampton Town moved to Sixfields Stadium in October 1994, with the first match being a 1-1 draw with Barnet in Division Three. The stadium is currently undergoing work that will eventually see the capacity increase to 8,203.
- Total Capacity: 7,798
- Seats: 7,798
- Construction costs: £6 million
- Surface: Natural Grass
- Pitch size: 106m x 66m
- Owner: Northampton Town FC
- Contact: ntfc.co.uk/
St Andrew’s
Currently known as the St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, St Andrew’s has been Birmingham City’s home since 1906. The stadium was used by Coventry City from 2019 to 2021 and is also the home of Birmingham City Women.
- Total Capacity: 29,409
- Seats: 29,409
- Surface: Hybrid Grass
- Pitch size: 100m x 66m
- Owner: Birmingham City Stadium Ltd
- Website: bcfc.com
St James Park
St James Park has been the home of Exeter City Football Club since 1904, and has undergone redevelopment in recent times. The stadium played host to a Women’s Under 21 in 2006, when England took on France.
- Total Capacity: 8,830
- Seats: 8.830
- Surface: Natural Grass
- Pitch size: 104m x 64m
- Owner: Exeter City Council
- Website: exetercityfc.co.uk
The Valley
The Valley was the home of Charlton Athletic from 1919 to 1985 before a period of exile. The club returned to their home in 1992. Charlton Athletic Women also use The Valley as their home stadium, an arrangement that started this season.
- Total Capacity: 26,875
- Seats: 26,875
- Surface: Natural Grass
- Pitch size: 102m x 67m
- Owner: Charlton Athletic Holdings Limited
- Contact: booking.cafc.co.uk
Toughsheet Community Stadium
The Toughsheet Community Stadium has previously been known as the Reebok Stadium, the Macron Stadium and the University of Bolton Stadium since opening in 1997. Part of the stadium is completed by a hotel, with some rooms offering views of the pitch.
- Total Capacity: 28,723
- Seats: 28,723
- Construction costs: £25 million
- Surface: Hybrid Grass
- Pitch size: 105m x 68m
- Owner: Bolton Wanderers Football Club
- Website: bwfc.co.uk/
Weston Homes Stadium
The Weston Homes Stadium has previously been known as London Road and has been the home ground of Peterborough United since their formation in 1934. The stadium’s record attendance currently stands at 30,096 for an FA Cup tie with Swansea City in 1965.
- Total Capacity: 15,314
- Surface: Natural Grass
- Pitch size: 102m x 69m
- Owner: Peterborough Properties Limited
- Contact: peterborough-events.com
League One History
League One is the third-tier of English football and sees three teams promoted but four relegated each season. Two teams, the champions and runners-up, will automatically be promoted to the Championship which is English football’s second tier. The four relegated teams will then play in League Two, the basement division of the Football League. Last season’s league winners were Portsmouth and they were promoted alongside second placed Derby County. The third promotion place was decided through the playoffs, where the teams finishing from third to sixth face off in two semi finals. The winners advance to the playoff final where the winner of that match will be promoted, last season that team were Oxford United.
The teams who were relegated last season were Carlisle United, Port Vale, Fleetwood Town and Cheltenham Town. Of the teams currently in the division, Shrewsbury Town have been there the longest, having achieved promotion into League One in 2014. Overall, MK Dons have spent the most seasons in England’s third tier with 15 and Oldham Athletic hold the record for most consecutive seasons with 14. The most successful clubs in League One are Plymouth Argyle and Wigan Athletic who have eight title wins between them. Current Premier League sides AFC Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton and Hove Albion and Ipswich Town have all spent four or more seasons in League One since 2004.